Adam Donahue has a twisted sense of humor. His wife, Jessica, is a dedicated kindergarten teacher. Their comfortable life together is rocked by what happens to one of Jessica's students. Donna Jo Crawford is the type of student who breaks her teacher's heart. Unlike most students, she hates weekends. She has the Monday morning smile and the Friday frown. Typical of children whose parents are drug abusers, she is desperate for attention. When her parents' lethal brew of methamphetamine explodes, she becomes a burn victim and an orphan. She fights first for survival, and then to overcome her scars, both physical and mental.
"Picking Up Jellyfish" gets its title from a seemingly innocuous childhood event, but that event takes on added significance in light of Donna Jo's quest to overcome her new challenges. Hers is a story of courage, yet it is told through Adam's unique and often humorous point of view.